Vonnie Winslow Crist

Advice for Writers:

1 - Read. Especially read the kind of writing you're trying to create. If you want to write children's books, then read lots of children's books. If you're writing poetry, read lots of contemporary poetry. If you're writing science fiction & fantasy, then you should be reading current speculative fiction.

2 - Write. Write every chance you get. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just get your ideas down on paper. Practice really does improve your skill as a writer.

3 - Revise. Most of us dislike the revision process, but it's necessary if the manuscript is to become tight and polished. No editor wants to see a first draft. It's your responsibility as a writer to prepare the best manuscript possible before submitting it to a publisher.

4 - Submit your writing to publishers. The worse thing that can happen, is the magazine, e-zine, or book editor says, "No." Remember, they're rejecting this particular piece of writing -- not you. So shrug your shoulders, research a new market, and re-submit!

5 - Take a class or 2. Whether offered by your local college or online, learn more about your craft by taking a writing class. Talk to writer friends and find out which classes they've taken that were helpful.

6 - Attend writers' conferences or seminars that offer interesting speakers at reasonable prices. Often writers' conferences are where you can meet editors, agents, and other writers with common interests. If you're interested in writing speculative fiction & poetry, many conventions like Balticon offer an abundance of programming for writers. Also, the dealers' rooms at cons often have hard-to-find speculative magazines and anthologies. Sometimes, the editors of the publications are sitting on the other side of the table. So politely, ask them about submitting.

7 - Join a critique group. Organize or join a group of writers that are your peers. If other writers in your group are too advanced, you'll become discouraged. If other writers in your group are too far behind you in their craft, their comments and suggestions won't be as helpful. And remember, keep the critiques professional. Make it a rule that first you must say something positive about the manuscript, and then, you can make suggestions for improving some of the weaker areas.

My critique group, known tongue-in-cheek as "The Writing Goddesses:" Michelle Sonnier, Me, Catherine Hartlove.

And remember to have fun!  (And take pictures -- like this photo of me and Michelle Sonnier at the Maryland Rennaisance Faire snapped by Catherine Hartlove).

The Gunpowder Review:

    I'm one of the editors of The Gunpowder Review, a new women's literary magazine. I'll be looking for new work for the 2010 Issue beginning March 1, 2010. To order a sample copy of the 2009 issue or for writers' guidelines, please check: www.gunpowderpenwomen.com and go to the Gunpowder Review page.

Helpful websites:

www.ralan.com markets for the speculative writer and/or artist. There is also a section on writing hints, etc.

www.duotrope.com writers' markets.

www.bsfs.com Info on Balticon & the Baltimore Science Fiction Society.

http://book-mark-it.com Excellent business that helps authors establish and maintain a web-presence.